Best at lead recovery

Bergsöe in Landskrona is the Nordic region's only secondary smelter for lead and one of Europe's biggest recyclers of used lead-acid batteries. Every year, lead is recovered from 4 million dead car batteries and at least 70 per cent of the lead produce is sold to the battery industry in Europe where it is used again. Because lead is a finite resource but fully recyclable, Bergsöe is an important link in this crucial metal's cycle.

As is the case at all of Boliden's plants, Bergsöe seeks to minimize its environmental impact and to use all resources as efficiently as possible. Good examples of this are the new plastic separation plant coming on stream in 2017, and our provision of surplus heat from production to Landskrona municipality's district heating system, which covers the annual heating needs of around 2,000 homes.

Bergsöe in figures

Established: 1942

Acquired: 1979

Operating profit: 110 SEK m (2017)

Number of employees: 70

Did you know that...

lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles – invented back in 1859 – are the oldest type of rechargeable batteries?

Thanks to their ability to deliver the high current over a short period of time necessary to operate a starter motor, this type of battery has been put to great use within the automotive industry.

Lead-acid batteries are also used as a power source in heavier vehicles such as diesel electric locomotives, submarines and as reserve power sources in installations with high operational reliability standards such as telecommunications facilities.

Boliden Bergsöe production, 2017

Lead alloys: 50 ktonnes

Plastic separation

In 2017, the new plastic separation plant will start operation in Bergsöe. The plant will allow the company to recycle polypropylene, one of the plastics found in batteries.

By reducing the incineration of plastic, carbon dioxide emissions at Bergsöe will fall by more than 20 per cent and also improve the work environment. What’s more, as a new saleable product, polypropylene helps increase the overall level of recycling for batteries.

Note: Due to a fire in the plastic separation plant in January -18, the operation has been postponed until further notice.